America’s most unique Fourth of July tradition is back, and this year, it features the highly anticipated return of its undisputed king. The nathan’s Famous International Hot Dog eating contest isn’t just a competition; it’s an annual spectacle. This Friday, July 4, 2025, the hot dog-fueled showdown returns to its legendary home in Coney Island, Brooklyn. Millions tune in to witness athletes push the limits of the human stomach. For fans, the biggest story centers around the comeback of 16-time champion Joey “Jaws” Chestnut. After a surprising absence last year, competitive eating’s greatest star is back in the field. Get ready for ten minutes of intense, fast-paced action. Here’s your ultimate guide on how to watch the 2025 contest, including options to stream it for free.
The Return of the King: Joey Chestnut’s Comeback Story
The 2025 Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest carries extra weight. That’s because Joey Chestnut, the man who holds the world record for eating 76 hot dogs and buns in 10 minutes, is competing again. His absence from the 2024 contest shocked the world of competitive eating. The reason stemmed from a contractual disagreement.
According to Major League Eating (MLE), the organizers, Chestnut had signed a deal with Impossible Foods. This plant-based meat company was seen as a rival brand to Nathan’s Famous. The conflict led to a temporary ban, preventing the champion from pursuing his potential 17th Mustard Belt. However, resolution arrived in June 2025. A deal was successfully negotiated. This agreement allows Chestnut to return to the iconic Coney Island stage. He will still work with Impossible Foods. Both parties confirmed that “clarifications” to respective contracts sorted out the issue.
Chestnut himself spoke about the situation. He called the Nathan’s contest a “cherished tradition” and a “huge part of my life.” He acknowledged that communication “could have improved on last year.” He expressed happiness that they “figured it out.” Fans reportedly told Chestnut that the event “wasn’t the same” without him. This feedback motivated him to ensure his return. He is currently preparing intensely for the event. He compares his rigorous training to a boxer getting ready for a fight. Chestnut clarified public perception regarding his Impossible Foods deal. He hasn’t become vegan. He uses a plant-based diet for recovery after contests. This helps his body normalize after extreme eating. He eats meat otherwise and enjoys it.
Richard Shea, president of MLE, shared his excitement. He called Chestnut’s return the “return of the greatest competitive eater of all time.” He hailed Chestnut as the “greatest performer we’ve ever seen.”
Event Details: When and Where
The 2025 Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest takes place on Independence Day. The location is the iconic corner of Surf and Stillwell avenues in Coney Island, Brooklyn, near the original Nathan’s store.
Here are the key times:
Women’s Contest: Begins at 10:45 a.m. ET.
Men’s Contest: Kicks off at 12:00 p.m. ET.
Plan your viewing schedule accordingly to catch both events.
How to Watch the 2025 Contest for Free
For many, watching the Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest is a Fourth of July ritual. If you don’t have traditional cable, you have options. Several live TV streaming services carry the necessary ESPN channels. Many of these offer free trials for new subscribers.
Here’s how you can potentially watch for free:
DIRECTV: Offers a multi-day free trial. The service includes the ESPN family of networks. Check their current trial length and channel lineups.
fuboTV: Provides a free trial period, often seven days. This service is known for its sports channel offerings, including ESPN channels.
Hulu + Live TV: Typically offers a shorter free trial, around three days. This trial would cover the July 4th event. Hulu + Live TV includes ESPN channels.
Sling TV: The Sling Orange plan carries ESPN channels. While they might not always offer a standard free trial, they sometimes have introductory offers or short trial periods. Verify their current promotions.
To watch for free, simply sign up for a free trial with one of these services before July 4th. Make sure to cancel the subscription before the trial period ends to avoid charges.
The contests air on ESPN networks. The women’s event is scheduled for ESPN3. The men’s event will move to ESPN2. For dedicated fans of Joey Chestnut, ESPN3 plans to offer an alternate “Joey Chestnut cam” feed during the men’s contest. This allows you to focus solely on the champion’s performance.
If you are outside the United States, watching might require a Virtual Private Network (VPN). A VPN can make it appear as though you are browsing from within the US. This allows you to access US-based streaming services. Reputable VPN services like ExpressVPN or NordVPN can provide this functionality. They often have money-back guarantees if needed. Using a VPN helps bypass geographical restrictions.
Key Competitors and Betting Favorites
While Joey Chestnut is undoubtedly the headline, the 2025 contest features a field of elite competitive eaters. Top athletes from around the globe will gather in Coney Island.
In the men’s field, all eyes will be on Chestnut. His main competition is expected to include Patrick Bertoletti. Bertoletti won the title in 2024 during Chestnut’s absence. He ate 58 hot dogs and buns in 10 minutes. Other strong contenders include James Webb, Geoffrey Esper, and Nick Wehry. Betting odds reflect Chestnut’s dominance. He is listed as the overwhelming favorite at -1800 odds. Patrick Bertoletti follows at +1000, James Webb at +3000, and Geoffrey Esper at +3400. This shows Chestnut is heavily favored to reclaim his title.
The women’s contest is equally competitive. Miki Sudo is the reigning champion and a legend in her own right. She has won the contest 10 times. In the 2024 contest, she set a women’s world record by consuming 51 hot dogs and buns. Sudo is also a heavy favorite in her division, listed at -1800 odds. Other notable competitors include Michelle “Cardboard Shell” Lesco (+1600) and Domenica Dee (+2000). Sudo aims to extend her unbeaten streak.
The full list of top competitors includes familiar names and rising stars:
Men’s Field (Partial List):
Joey Chestnut (41, Westfield, Indiana)
Patrick Bertoletti (40, Chicago, Illinois)
James Webb (36, Sydney, Australia)
Geoffrey Esper (50, Oxford, Massachusetts)
Nick Wehry (35, Tampa, Florida)
And many more competitive eaters!
Women’s Field (Partial List):
Miki Sudo (39, Tampa, Florida)
Michelle “Cardboard Shell” Lesco (41, Tucson, Arizona)
Domenica Dee (33, Westchester, New York)
Tandra Childress (39, San Francisco, California)
And many more formidable eaters!
Understanding the Rules
Competitive eating might look simple, but the Nathan’s contest has specific rules. These guidelines ensure a fair and organized competition.
Here are the main rules competitors must follow:
The contest lasts exactly 10 minutes.
Competitors get plates with five hot dogs and buns each.
Using ketchup or mustard is not allowed.
Any non-alcoholic drink is permitted. Only water is provided by organizers. Competitors bringing their own are limited to 13 cups.
Hot dogs and buns can be separated. Competitors must eat equal numbers of both. If uneven, the lower number counts as the final score.
Dunking the hot dog and bun in a drink is allowed for up to five seconds.
No utensils are permitted. Eaters can break food by hand.
Vomiting during the contest leads to immediate disqualification (this is known as a “reversal of fortune”).
The eater consuming and keeping down the most hot dogs and buns wins.
These rules emphasize speed, technique, and stomach capacity.
Prize Money Breakdown
The stakes are high, not just for glory but also for prize money. The 2025 Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest features a total prize purse of approximately $40,000.
This amount is split between the men’s and women’s competitions. The top finishers in each event receive cash prizes.
Here’s how the prize money is distributed for both the men’s and women’s contests:
First Place: $10,000
Second Place: $5,000
Third Place: $2,500
Additional prize money is distributed to lower places.
Winning the Mustard Belt and the title is the primary goal. The prize money adds a significant incentive for these professional athletes.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the reason for Joey Chestnut’s absence in 2024?
Joey Chestnut was not in the 2024 Nathan’s contest due to a contract dispute. Major League Eating had an issue with his separate sponsorship deal with Impossible Foods, a plant-based meat company seen as a competitor to Nathan’s. The conflict prevented him from participating that year, but a resolution was reached in June 2025 allowing his return.
What ESPN channels are broadcasting the contest and the Joey cam?
The women’s contest for the 2025 Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest will be broadcast live on ESPN3 starting at 10:45 a.m. ET. The men’s contest will air live on ESPN2 beginning at 12:00 p.m. ET. Additionally, ESPN3 will provide an alternate “Joey Chestnut cam” feed during the men’s competition for viewers who want a dedicated view of the champion.
Can I watch the Nathan’s Hot Dog Contest for free without cable?
Yes, you can potentially watch the 2025 Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest for free without traditional cable. This is possible by utilizing free trials offered by live TV streaming services that carry ESPN channels, such as DIRECTV, fuboTV, or Hulu + Live TV. Simply sign up for a free trial before the event on July 4th to gain access to the necessary ESPN channels. Remember to cancel the service before the trial period ends if you do not wish to continue the subscription.
Conclusion: A Tradition Continues
The Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest is more than just a bizarre athletic event. It’s a celebrated July 4th tradition that captures the nation’s attention. The return of Joey Chestnut adds a layer of excitement and drama to the 2025 competition. Fans will be eager to see if he can reclaim his crown and perhaps even challenge his own world record of 76 hot dogs. Alongside dominant figures like Miki Sudo in the women’s division, the contest promises thrilling moments. Prepare to tune in this Friday, July 4, to witness history unfold on the Coney Island boardwalk. Whether you’re watching via cable, streaming service free trial, or even overseas with a VPN, don’t miss the spectacle.
